Stuffin' Flufflepuffs: A Guide to Identifying Owls

As the title says, this essentially tells you how to tell apart your owls. Even though there really aren't any in Singapore. At least I haven't seen any.

1. Is it looking at you angrily? Probably a short eared owl. Those things always look angry.

YOU LOOKING AT ME? WANT A FIGHT?

2. Does it look a bit like Totoro? Probably a long eared owl. Another way of telling it apart is if it looks like it has ears, although that's not as effective due to the large amount of owls that look like they have ears.

Why are you asking me if I have an umbrella? Just go inside when it rains, dummy.

3. Does it look like a grey mop head? It's a great grey owl then. It's great, it's grey, there's nothing much else to add. Other than it makes the traditional owl noise, which is "Hoo hoo."

How long do I have to stay here? Damn photographer's taking his time, isn't he?

4. Does it have disproportionately long legs? It's a burrowing owl. You can tell, since they often hang out on the ground instead of up in trees. And live in burrows.

Why does this picture remind me so much of Napoleon? I don't know.

5. Does it look like a burrowing owl, but is hanging out in a tree? It's a little owl. Also distinguishable from other owls by being little. Or maybe it's a burrowing owl that likes hanging out in trees, go figure.

I can't come up with a caption for this. Sorry.

6. Does it look like a miniaturized short eared owl? It's a saw whet owl. Also easily distinguished by looking extremely adorable. And having really huge pupils.

TAKE A PHOTO? OF ME? AW MAN I NEARLY FELL OFF THIS BRANCH!

7. Is it white? Or is it white with a couple of black feathers in between? It's a snowy owl. It looks snowy.

Check out my feet mittens. Cool, eh? Darn fluffy as well.

8. Does it look like a barn owl? I can't quite describe how a barn owl looks like, so if it fits your idea of a barn owl it probably is a barn owl.

I couldn't think of a caption for this either.

There are obviously way more owl species than mentioned in this post, however I do not have the required words for describing their looks, and you're probably far better off consulting a trained ornithologist than using this post. Seriously.

On a side note, owl babies are the ugliest things ever. But they're ugly to the point where it's funny. It's a bit hard to believe they'll grow up into the magnificent creatures up above, but hey, there's hope for everybody!